Tag: new friends

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Fabulous living

What I’m Thankful For

Hello everyone!

Happy Wednesday!

It is the week before Thanksgiving and boy, is this month moving fast, even with Thanksgiving being a week late, it has still been a busy month. I just got back from a weekend away which was so nice to getaway. Plus, some holiday decor was already up which made me very happy and get into the Christmas spirit!

Airports all decked out for the holidays!

Today’s post is more reflective as I’m sharing what I’m thankful for. I do these posts every year and they are such a good time to share my gratitude for everything I have and the people and experiences I have in my life.

First and foremost, I’m thankful for my incredible family, supportive friends and compassionate boyfriend. I don’t have the words to describe how lucky I am to have such a strong and loving support system. 

My family is always there for me during big milestones or everyday moments. I am so lucky to have such a close-knit family that eats dinner together every day, calls and checks in with each other regularly, and loves to laugh and support one another. By working in my hometown, I am able to spend even more time with my family and it’s something I don’t take for granted.

My boyfriend is one my best friends and favorite people in the world. I don’t share too much about my relationship on my blog to keep things private, but he is one of the best things that has happened to me. He is so supportive, selfless, understanding, hardworking, funny, and pushes me to be my best in all that I do. He encourages me in work and is so supportive of my hobbies and interests. He celebrates the big milestones in life, but also acknowledges the importance of mundane moments. He loves my dogs as if they were his own and goes out of his way to make sure I feel valued and heard. I thank God every day that he came into my life five years ago on Thanksgiving Day (another reason to be thankful).

Montreal- one of the many places my boyfriend and I traveled to this year!

I’m also so grateful for my understanding and kind friends. I have stayed close with different friends from different stages and areas of life. Whether we catch up weekly in-person or over Facetime each month, I’m so lucky to have people in my corner who cheer me on, understand my fluid schedule with work and who put in the effort for our friendship.

Getting outdoors and taking walks with friends is so good for my soul

I’m so grateful for my good health and the health of my family and friends. This past year has brought losing loved ones and some illnesses and every day, I’m so grateful that I am healthy and so are my loved ones. I’m also thankful for medicine, good doctors and research and technology to help fight these diseases. 

When times get challenging, I’m thankful for my faith in God. I know that I can always depend on his unwavering love and that he will guide me through life’s most challenging and most joyful moments. I’m grateful for my parents for making sure a relationship in God was a priority in my life growing up.

In times of doubt, trusting in God is so important

This year has been a year of change for me and I’m grateful for the new people who have come into my life to show support and provide guidance. 

I’m thankful for a job that I love waking up and going to every day. I love that I have co-workers that have become friends to me. I’m also grateful for a job that challenges me, but also teaches me things around the world. Every day brings something new to my life and I’m so lucky that I get to call it my job. I also hit the jackpot by being able to work in my hometown and work in a community that means so much to me. 

My job has taken me to pretty cool places and experiences.

I am so grateful for all the adventures and hobbies that bring me so much joy every day. I have tried new things this year and continued to enjoy activities that give me a creative and freeing outlet. Things like running, reading, baking and cooking bring me so much joy and balance in my life. I have traveled a lot this year to new and familiar places and I’m so lucky for the opportunity to see so much of the world and create lasting memories with family and friends.

Running
Cooking
Baking
Reading

This past year has been filled with adventures, new beginnings, reconnecting, challenges and staying true to myself and I’m so grateful for it all.

I have much to be thankful for this year. 

With Thanksgiving just over a week away, tell me, what are you thankful for this year?

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Fabulous living

Seven Years of Blogging

Hello all!

Happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a great week, we made it halfway to the weekend!

I am celebrating my blog anniversary this month.

I started to create this little corner on the internet seven years ago as I was finishing up my first year of college. I had just gone through one of the biggest years of growth and change. I moved out of my home, met all new people and went through all the growing pains of being a freshman in college. I started this blog as a creative hobby and outlet and it has grown so much since I wrote my first post. 

One of my first posts

I shared looks of the days, packing tips, my fitness journey, things to organize, and personal topics like eating alone.

Becoming a runner

Now, I share more about my weekly favorites, recipes, and adventures.

Trips to NYC for a day adventure

Over the last seven years, I have gone through college, started my first job, made new friends, lost friends, gone on trips, moved back home, found new hobbies and met my boyfriend.

Time with friends

I’ve shared a lot about myself through my blog, from homesickness, to landing my dream job, and staying true to myself.

So many fashion posts

I’ve also been able to share my favorite things; from beauty products, to fashion trends, travel, books and entertainment. 

A few books from my collection at home.

Every year, I like to look back and see what posts stood out to me the most. This year, the biggest moments come in the form of 24 hour day trips, starting new hobbies in the form of running, playing piano and growing a garden, and being more sure of myself. 

The fruits of my labor

Your 20s can be a challenging time of figuring out your career, being an adult, staying in touch with friends, being involved with family, navigating a relationship and discovering yourself. I really feel like I have found who I am and how I want to live my life over the past year. 

I always say I will blog until it doesn’t bring me joy, but every day I still get excited about writing what I’m feeling and sharing my life with you all. I keep a running list of topics to write about, or favorite things to share, or even stories that I hope can help others who may feel how I feel.

I always learn so much from other bloggers and women and they inspire me every day and make my day a bit brighter. 

I hope I can do that for at least one person. Whether this is the first post of mine you are reading or you have read over 500 of them, thank you for being here and reading what’s on my mind and heart. I so appreciate every read, follow, and comment. 

Thank you for being on this journey with me and I can’t wait to see what the next year holds. Cheers to seven years!!!!

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Fabulous living

Summer Bucket List Recap

Well, here we are in September. This weekend is Labor Day and therefore the end of summer. Although, I plan on still soaking up as much sunshine and warm weather when days permit it. Now, that summer is almost over, it was time for a summer bucket list check in. Did I accomplish all my goals, did I add somethings to the list?! Let’s take a look.

Summer Bucket List Recap
  • Seawolves Baseball Game

Didn’t happen but there’s still a few more weeks left of home games, so I’m hoping to make it to one before the season is up.

  • Start a new show

I finished Offspring this summer, I also watched the second season of Outer Banks, watched the second season of Modern Love and I watched the Pursuit of Love. I watched a lot over the summer. The Pursuit of Love was good, it followed the lives of two women through their lives in the 1930s and 1940s. It’s only three seasons, so it’s not too long of a commitment.

One of the series I watched
  • Summer reading

I read lots of books this summer, from fiction to non-fiction, beach reads and autobiographies. To see everything I read you can check out my past Currentlys or my Instagram stories. I’ve really enjoyed getting lost in books this summer. 

  • Travel someplace new

I didn’t travel any place new but I did have new experiences, such as travelling alone and seeing new things with family and friends.

  • Best friend’s wedding shower and Best friend’s wedding

One of the highlights of my summer was celebrating one of my best friend’s bridal shower, girl’s weekend and wedding. It was incredible to see college friends and celebrate love this summer.

A look at my dress
  • See college friends

I was able to see college friends through visits to Pittsburgh, wedding festivities, shopping trips, and lunches. 

  • See high school friends 

I saw my close high school friends this summer. I kept up with my book club this summer, I also went to my 5 Year Class Reunion, and dinners and holidays! I’m so glad I stayed close with my friends. 

Time with high school friends
  • Ice cream nights

My answer to everything this summer was ice cream. Good or bad day, ice cream was the answer. I went to many of my favorite ice creams spots all through the summer. 

Lots of ice cream this summer
  • Dinner by water

I didn’t get dinner by the water but I got lunch which was perfect! Especially in Pittsburgh and seafood too, It was perfect!

Summer by the water
  • Play putt putt

I played putt putt both here in Erie and on vacation, so fun!

  • Beach day

I was able to head to the beach one morning before work and on a day off too. Plus lots of walks at the peninsula.

  • Zoo 

I went to many zoos this summer. I went to our local zoo a few times. I also went to the Pittsburgh Zoo and Keystone Safari too which was so much fun! Ya girl loves the zoo and animals. 

Keystone Safari for the day
  • Family trip

My family and I went away for a few days at the start of the summer and thank goodness we did, because the summer got busy once we got back.

Family time in Hershey!
  • Pittsburgh Trip

I went to Pittsburgh with friends and family this summer. I also went to different places surrounding Pittsburgh to visit friends.

A view of the city from above.
  • See family

I got to see lots of family this summer between picnics and celebrations and just relaxing. It was great to see so many people especially after a year without seeing people. 

The Fourth spent with family

– White Turkey and Sara’s

Both classic summer spots. I’m so glad I was able to enjoy them with family and friends. 

Hot dog and ice cream on the beach after a walk.
  • Niagara Falls

I didn’t make this happen this summer but there’s still time in the fall to make it happen.

  • Grill nights

I enjoyed lots of grilling. From barbecues with friends, family nights at home, and just enjoying time outside. 

  • Entertain friends

I didn’t get to do a lot of entertaining this summer, but I did get a lot of visits in.

  • Winery or Brewery

I didn’t make this happen this fall, but I’m hoping to make it happen this fall!

  • Celebrate 23

I celebrated 23 with lunch at work, followed by cake and presents on my birthday and the day after. I also went out to dinner after work the day after too. It was great to celebrate a new year full of new adevntures.

My birthday dress.
  • Summer festivals

I enjoyed some local festivals as a part of my job and after work. It’s always great to support community events and change things up on weekends or after work.

  • Pool days

I spent lots of days out by the pool, between reading outside, floating in the water or playing in the water. I had time to soak up the water on hot summer days!

Even my dog Reese got in on the pool action.

That’s just a look at what I did this past summer. What did you accomplish this summer?!

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Fabulous living

Fall Semester Recap

Another semester has come and gone. Last week I wrapped on my third semester, by far it has been the busiest and most challenging one. In the past few short months, I took 19 credits worth of courses, started a new job, joined a Honor’s Society, and made many new friends. I grew as a person, and a changed in more ways than I thought. Back in August, someone told me, by the time Christmas rolled around I would be a different person than I was back in August, and boy they weren’t wrong.  The top five things that had the biggest impact or that I learned this semester are:

– Heavy course load- I took more credits and classes this semester. It was a challenge to accomplish everything, but I did it. I found new places to study and made new friends in my classes. I learned so much and the courses I took helped point me in the right direction for what I want to do as a career. I also made the decision based on credits I brought in from high school to graduate early. I will be graduating college in December 2019, a semester early. Two years from Saturday I will be a college graduate, which is both exciting and nerve racking.

This is just a small peek into how I stay organized and on top of everything related to school.

I wouldn’t have survived my classes if it weren’t for these girls. Love them to pieces.– 

– My new job. I took on a new job this semester and it has most definitely impacted me. I have more responsibilities and I had to step out of my comfort zone several times this semester. To be honest, this job has caused me stress, like any job does, but I have grown a lot this semester. I am more assertive and confident (well, that’s something I’m still working on). But, a lot of good has come from this job. I have met a lot of good people that I work with on a daily basis. People that started out as strangers are now some of my closest friends. Although, I am using this Christmas Break to catch up on some much need rest and relaxation, I’ll be excited to start back again in January.

 

My new job has brought me both smiles and stress, like any job.

So blessed I met mt friend Liv through my job. She has been the best mentor and friend. I was told I would meet some of my best friends through this job and I’m so glad i met Liv.

– Try new things. I applied and got accepted into my college’s Honor’s Program. After a lot of persuading from both friends and professors, I decided to apply, and I got in. As a member of the Honor’s Program, I will be taking more rigorous courses, and I will be attending activities as a group. One activity I went to was an Opera performance of “The Marriage of Figaro”, it was very well done and I was happy I made the decision to attend. I am excited to see what other things we do as a group.

A night out for the Opera.

– Letting Loose. Between school and my job, I worked a lot this semester, so when I had a weekend free, I took advantage of it with friends and family. I had movie nights with friends, went on trips to the city, danced the night away at semi formals, and headed home for a few weekends to spend time with family. I learned this semester there always must be a balance between work and fun. Thankfully, I had great friends who made sure I had fun even when I wasn’t always up for it. Even my friends from high school were always there if I needed a laugh or a pick me up.  Whether it was a night out or a chick flick night in, my friends and I knew how to have a good time.

My bestie Danielle and I before a Halloween Dance

A night out with Shay at semi formal. I have no idea where I would be without this girl. She truly is a forever friend.

A night out in the city to celebrate Christmas!!

– Self Care. With a busy semester, I learned how to take care of myself. Whether it was calling it an early night, working out at the gym,  reading a new book, rewatching my favorite guilty pleasure on Netflix (hello, did someone say, Gossip Girl?!?!) , or even doing my nails. I learned that I am not helpful to anyone if I don’t take care of myself first. I am still learning to take care of myself. I will always try to say yes, but I need to learn to say no more. I over commit, and I try to please everyone. Towards the end of this semester, I learned to slow down more. That is something I plan to work on more for the spring semester.

Smiling is the easiest way to spread happiness. At the end of the day, all we can do is keep smiling.

Some days it felt like this semester dragged on, and other days, I can hardly believe it is already December! Overall, I had a successful semester. I learned a lot and I gained a lot. I can’t wait to see what next semester has in store for me. Until then….xoxo